Methods and systems for distributing fiber optic telecommunication services to local areas and for supporting distributed antenna systems

ABSTRACT

A fiber optic network includes a fiber distribution hub including at least one splitter and a termination field; a plurality of drop terminals optically connected to the fiber distribution hub by a plurality of distribution cables; and a distributed antenna system (DAS). The DAS includes a base station and a plurality of antenna nodes. The base station is optically connected to the fiber distribution hub and the antenna nodes are optically connected to the drop terminals. Example splitters include a passive optical power splitter and a passive optical wavelength splitter. Signals from a central office can be routed through the passive optical power splitter before being routed to subscriber locations optically connected to the drop terminals. Signals from the base station can be routed through the wavelength splitter before being routed to the antenna nodes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/324,284, filed Apr. 14, 2010, which applicationis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Fiber optic telecommunications technology is becoming more prevalent asservice providers strive to deliver higher bandwidth communicationcapabilities to customers/subscribers. The phrase “fiber to the x”(FTTX) generically refers to any network architecture that uses opticalfiber in place of copper within a local distribution area. Example FTTXnetworks include fiber-to-the-node (FTTN) networks, fiber-to-the-curb(FTTC) networks and fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) networks.

FTTN and FTTC networks use fiber optic cables that are run from aservice provider's central office to a cabinet serving a neighborhood.Subscribers connect to the cabinet using traditional copper cabletechnology such as coaxial cable or twisted pair wiring. The differencebetween an FTTN network and an FTTC network relates to the area servedby the cabinet. Typically, FTTC networks typically have cabinets closerto the subscribers that serve a smaller subscriber area than thecabinets of FTTN networks.

In an FTTP network, fiber optic cables are run from a service provider'scentral office all the way to the subscriber's premises. Example FTTPnetworks include fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) networks andfiber-to-the-building (FTTB) networks. In an FTTB network, optical fiberis routed from the central office over an optical distribution networkto an optical network terminal (ONT) located in a building. The ONTtypically includes active components that convert the optical signalsinto electrical signals. The electrical signals are typically routedfrom the ONT to the subscriber's residence or office space usingtraditional copper cable technology. In an FTTH network, fiber opticcable is run from the service provider's central office to an ONTlocated at the subscriber's residence or office space. Once again, atthe ONT, optical signals are typically converted into an electricalsignal for use with the subscriber's devices. However, to the extentthat an end user may have devices that are compatible with opticalsignals, conversion of the optical signal to an electrical signal maynot be necessary.

FTTP networks include active optical networks and passive opticalnetworks. Active optical networks use electrically powered equipment(e.g., a switch, router, multiplexer or other equipment) to distributesignals and to provide signal buffering. Passive optical networks usepassive beam splitters instead of electrically powered equipment tosplit optical signals. In a passive optical network, ONT's are typicallyequipped with equipment (e.g., wave-division multiplexing andtime-division multiplexing equipment) that prevents incoming andoutgoing signals from colliding and that filters out signals intendedfor other subscribers.

A typical passive FTTP network includes fiber optic cables routed from acentral location (e.g., a service provider's central office) to a fiberdistribution hub (FDH) located in a local area such as a neighborhood.The fiber distribution hub typically includes a cabinet in which one ormore passive optical splitters are mounted. The splitters each arecapable of splitting a signal carried by a single fiber to a pluralityof fibers. The fibers split out at the splitter are routed from thefiber distribution hub into the local area using a fiber opticdistribution cable. Fibers are routed from the fiber distribution cableto subscriber locations (e.g., homes, businesses or buildings) usingvarious techniques. For example, fiber optic drop cables can be routeddirectly from a breakout location on the distribution cable to an ONT ata subscriber location. Alternatively, a stub cable can be routed from abreakout location of the distribution cable to a drop terminal. Dropcables can be run from the drop terminal to ONT's located at a pluralityof premises located near the drop terminal.

Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) are also becoming more prevalent. DASare used to provide wireless service (e.g., cell phone, WiFi, etc.)within a given geographic area. DAS include a network of spaced-apartantenna nodes optically or electrically connected to a common controllocation (e.g., a base station). Each antenna node typically includes anantenna and a remote unit (i.e., a radio head, a remote transceiver,etc.).

DAS are one way that a wireless cellular service provider can improvethe coverage provided by a given base station or group of base stations.In a DAS, radio frequency (RF) signals are communicated between a hostunit and one or more remote units. The host unit can be communicativelycoupled to one or more base stations directly by connecting the hostunit to the base station using, for example, electrical or fibertelecommunications cabling. The host unit can also be communicativelycoupled to one or more base stations wirelessly, for example, using adonor antenna and a bidirectional amplifier (BDA).

RF signals (also referred to here as “downlink RF signals”) transmittedfrom the base station are received at the host unit. The host unit usesthe downlink RF signals to generate a downlink transport signal that isdistributed to one or more of the remote units. Each such remote unitreceives the downlink transport signal and reconstructs the downlink RFsignals based on the downlink transport signal and causes thereconstructed downlink RF signals to be radiated from at least oneantenna coupled to or included in that remote unit. A similar process isperformed in the uplink direction. RF signals (also referred to here as“uplink RF signals”) transmitted from mobile units are received at eachremote unit. Each remote unit uses the uplink RF signals to generate anuplink transport signal that is transmitted from the remote unit to thehost unit. The host unit receives and combines the uplink transportsignals transmitted from the remote units. The host unit reconstructsthe uplink RF signals received at the remote units and communicates thereconstructed uplink RF signals to the base station. In this way, thecoverage of the base station can be expanded using the DAS.

One or more intermediate devices (also referred to here as “expansionhubs” or “expansion units”) can be placed between the host unit and theremote units in order to increase the number of remote units that asingle host unit can feed and/or to increase the hub-unit-to-remote-unitdistance.

One general type of DAS is configured to use optical fibers tocommunicatively couple the host unit to the remote units and/orexpansions hubs. However, such a fiber-optic DAS typically makes use ofdedicated optical fibers that are deployed specifically to support thatDAS.

SUMMARY

Features of the present disclosure relate to methods and systems forefficiently and cost effectively distributing fiber optic communicationsservices to a local area while concurrently supporting a DistributedAntenna System.

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a fiber optic networkincluding a fiber distribution hub and a plurality of drop terminals(i.e., multi-service terminals) optically connected to the fiberdistribution hub by a plurality of fiber optic distribution cables. Thefiber optic network is used to connect antenna nodes of a DistributedAntenna System to a base station. For example, a feeder cable (e.g., anF1 cable) can be used to connect the base station to the fiberdistribution hub, drop cables can be used to connect the antenna nodesto the drop terminals, and the distribution cables connect the dropterminals to the fiber distribution hub. In this way, the opticalnetwork provides optical signal pathways between the antenna nodes andthe base station for linking the base station to the antenna nodes.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method forsupporting a Distributed Antenna System by using excess capacity of anexisting FTTX network. In this way, a new Distributed Antenna System canbe deployed in the field while minimizing the amount of new opticalfiber that need be installed to support the Distributed Antenna System.

A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the descriptionthat follows. These aspects can relate to individual features and tocombinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoinggeneral description and the following detailed description are exemplaryand explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad concepts uponwhich the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a fiber optic network in accordance with the principles ofthe present disclosure.

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate a sequence for installing the fiber optic networkof FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows another fiber optic network in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a sequence for installing the fiber optic network ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 8 shows still another fiber optic network in accordance withprinciples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fiber distribution hub suitable foruse in fiber optic networks of FIGS. 1, 5 and 8 in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the fiber distribution hub of FIG. 9with front doors in an open position.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the fiber distribution hub of FIG. 9with a swing frame in an open position.

FIGS. 12A-12D are schematic representations of example cable routingschemes for a fiber distribution hub suitable for use in fiber opticnetworks of FIGS. 1, 5 and 8 in accordance with the principles of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a drop terminal suitable foruse in the fiber optic networks of FIGS. 1, 5 and 8.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a housing suitable for use with thedrop terminal in the fiber optic networks of FIGS. 1, 5 and 8.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the housing of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the housing of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is an exploded view of a ruggedized fiber optic adapter suitablefor use with the drop terminal of FIG. 13.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a back piece of the housing of FIGS.14-16.

FIG. 19 is an alternate embodiment of a spool end suitable for use withthe drop terminal of FIG. 13.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a fiberspooling system in accordance with the principles of the presentdisclosure for use with a drop terminal.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the fiber spooling system of FIG. 20with a hinge plate in an open position.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the fiber spooling system of FIG. 20with the hinge plate in the open position.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a spoolingsystem.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the spooling system with a hinge platein an open position.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a cover of a drop terminal of thespooling system of FIG. 23.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a drop terminal assembly suitable foruse with the spooling system of FIG. 23.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the drop terminal assembly of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the spooling system of FIG. 23.

FIG. 29 is a rear perspective view of the drop terminal assembly of FIG.26.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the spooling system of FIG. 23.

FIG. 31 is a side view of the spooling system of FIG. 23 with a mandrel.

FIG. 32 is a block diagram of one exemplary embodiment of a distributedantenna system (DAS).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary aspects of thepresent disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughoutthe drawings to refer to the same or like structure.

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a fiber optic networkincluding a fiber distribution hub and a plurality of drop terminals(i.e., multi-service terminals) optically connected to the fiberdistribution hub by a plurality of fiber optic distribution cables. Thefiber optic network is used to connect antenna nodes of a DistributedAntenna System to a base station. For example, a feeder cable (e.g., anF1 cable) can be used to connect the base station to the fiberdistribution hub, drop cables can be used to connect the antenna nodesto the drop terminals, and the distribution cables connect the dropterminals to the fiber distribution hub. The fiber optic network canalso be used to connect a central office to a plurality of subscriberlocations so as to provide the subscriber locations with service. Forexample, a feeder cable (e.g., an F1 cable) can be used to connect thecentral office to the fiber distribution hub, drop cables can be used toconnect the subscriber locations to the drop terminals, and thedistribution cables connect the drop terminals to the fiber distributionhub.

The base station includes active electrical components for managing thevarious signals fed back and forth between the antenna nodes and thebase station. For example, the base station can include a plurality oftransceivers for receiving and transmitting signals and a poweramplifier for amplifying the signals. The base station can be configuredfor any one or more telecommunications standards including 3G (e.g.,GSM, EDGE, UMTS, CDMA, DECT, WiMAX, etc.), LTE, and 4G. In oneembodiment, the base station includes optical multiplexers (e.g.,wavelength division multiplexers) to join signal transmitted through thefeeder cable to the FDH and to separate signals received from the FDHthrough the feeder cable.

The fiber distribution hub can include one or more splitters as well asa termination field including an array of fiber optic adapters. Thesplitters can include passive optical power splitters and/or passivewavelength splitters such as wavelength division multipliers (e.g., corewavelength division multipliers or dense wavelength divisionmultipliers). Passive optical power splitters (e.g., 1 to 8 splitters, 1to 16 splitters, 1 to 32 splitters, 1 to 64 splitters, etc.) splitsignals from one to many and combine signals from many to one withoutproviding any wavelength filtration. In the case of a 1 to 8 splitter,each of the split signals has ⅛^(th) the power of the input signal.Passive optical power splitters are often used as part of a passive FTTXnetwork for splitting signals that are ultimately routed to subscriberlocations. In certain embodiments, a signal carried by an optical fiberof a feeder cable routed from the central office is split at the passiveoptical power splitter to a plurality of connectorized pigtails. Theconnectorized pigtails are routed to the termination field of the fiberdistribution hub where the connectorized pigtails are placed in opticalconnection with the distribution cables routed to the drop terminals.The drop terminals provide connection locations for connectingsubscribers to the FTTX network via drop cables. In this way, signalsfrom the central office can be split in power/intensity at the fiberdistribution hub and then routed to subscriber locations, and signalsfrom the subscriber locations can be combined at the fiber distributionhub and routed to the central office.

Passive wavelength splitters split signals split signals from one tomany and combine signals from many to one based on wavelength (e.g., 1to 8 splitters, 1 to 16 splitters, 1 to 32 splitters, 1 to 64 splitters,1 to 160 splitters, etc.). For example, a wavelength splitter can beused to split a signal from a fiber of the feeder cable connected to thebase unit to a plurality of connectorized pigtails such that each of theconnectorized pigtails carries a signal having a different wavelengthband. Signals carried from the connectorized pigtails to the wavelengthsplitter are combined by the wavelength splitter before beingtransmitted through the fiber of the feeder cable. The connectorizedpigtails are routed to the termination field of the fiber distributionhub where the connectorized pigtails are placed in optical connectionwith the distribution cables routed to the drop terminals. The dropterminals provide connection locations for connecting the antenna nodesof the distributed antenna system to the fiber optic network. A givenantenna node can include a remote unit including transmit and receiveconnection locations. By routing a first drop cable from a firstconnection location (e.g., a port/adapter) of the drop terminal to thetransmit connection location of the remote unit and a second drop cablefrom a second connection location of the drop terminal to the receiveconnection location of the remote unit, the antenna node is opticallyconnected to the fiber optic network. In this way, signals from the baseunit can be split based on wavelength band at the fiber distribution huband then routed to subscriber locations, and signals from the subscriberlocations having different wavelength bands can be combined at the fiberdistribution hub and routed to the base unit. In other embodiments, aduplexing or multiplexing arrangement may be used so that one cable canbe used to optically connect the antenna node to the drop terminal. Instill another embodiment, at least some of the ports of the dropterminal can include duplex adapters for receiving duplex connectorsmounted on a drop cable containing two separate optical fibers forconveying transmit signals and received signals between the antenna nodeand the drop terminal.

FIG. 1 shows a passive fiber optic distribution network 20 havingfeatures that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure. Generally, a distribution network20 is adapted for transmitting fiber optic telecommunication servicesbetween a central office 22 and a local area 24 (e.g., a local loop).The distribution network includes one or more F1 distribution cables 26that each preferably includes a plurality of optical fibers. Forexample, in one embodiment, a first F1 distribution cable 26 may have onthe order of 12 to 48 fibers. However, alternative numbers of fibers mayalso be used. One or more of the optical fibers of the first F1distribution cable 26 are routed to a fiber distribution hub 28.

The fiber distribution hub 28 preferably includes one or more passiveoptical splitter modules adapted to receive signals carried by thefibers of the first F1 distribution cable 26 and output a plurality ofsignals onto fibers that are optically coupled to one or more F2distribution cables 30 a-c routed from the distribution hub 28 into thelocal area 24. In one embodiment, the F2 distribution cables 30 a-c caneach include 12 optical fibers. In some implementations, one or more ofthe optical splitters are configured to split an incoming signal into aplurality of lesser powered iterations of the same signal. In otherimplementations, one or more of the optical splitters are wave divisionmultiplexers (WDM) that separate out an plurality of different signalsfrom an incoming signal based on signal wavelength. In oneimplementation, the WDM is a coarse wave divisional multiplexer (CWDM).In another implementation, the WDM is a dense wave divisionalmultiplexer (DWDM), which can separate out more signals than the CWDM.

As shown at FIG. 1, the F2 distribution cables 30 a-c include first ends31 terminated by ruggedized multi-fiber connectors 32. The multi-fiberconnectors 32 interface with a bank 34 of fiber optic adapters providedat an exterior of the fiber distribution hub 28. The adapter bank 34facilitates quickly providing an optical connection between the opticalfibers within the fiber distribution hub 28 and the optical fibers ofthe F2 distribution cables 30 a-c. Fiber optic drop terminals 36 a-c arerespectively located at second ends 33 of the F2 distribution cables 30a-c. Drop terminal 36 a is shown positioned within hand hole 38 a, dropterminal 36 b is shown mounted within hand hole 38 b, and drop terminal36 c is shown mounted to a utility pole 40. The F2 distribution cables30 a-c are shown routed through an underground conduit 41 that is showninterconnecting three hand holes 38 a-38 c. Referring still to FIG. 1,fiber optic drop cables 50 are routed from the drop terminals 36 a-c toONT's located at subscriber locations 52.

In some implementations, a distributed antenna system (DAS) 90 can beintegrated with the passive fiber optic distribution network 20. The DAS90 includes a base station 92 including at least one WDM 94. In someimplementations, the base station 92 is located within the centraloffice 22. In other implementations, the base station 92 is external ofthe central office 22. In certain implementations, the base station 92is locate remote from the central office 22. In some implementations,the WDM 94 of the base station 92 includes one or more CWDMs. In otherimplementations, the WDM 94 includes one or more DWDMs.

The DAS 90 also includes one or more antenna nodes 96 and remote units(i.e. remote units) 98 positioned at various locations (e.g., within abuilding, campus, city, or geographic region). For example, in variousimplementations, the antenna nodes 96 and remote units 98 can be mountedto utility poles, light poles, water towers, signs, or other suchsuitable locations. Each remote unit 98 includes a signal receiving portand a signal transmitting port (see FIG. 5). Signals to be transmittedover the DAS 90 are provided over a second F1 feeder cable 95 thatconnects the base station 92 to the FDH 28. Signals provided over thesecond F1 feeder cable 95 are provided to one or more of the opticalsplitters within the FDH (see FIGS. 12A-12D) at which the signals areseparated onto F2 distribution cable fibers that are routed to one ormore drop terminals 36 a-c.

Drop cables 50 connect the drop terminals 36 to the remote units 98 ofthe DAS. For example, in one implementation, a first fiber 97 canconnect a first port of the drop terminal 36 to the signal receivingport of the remote unit 98 and a second fiber 99 can connect a secondport of the drop terminal 36 to the signal transmitting port of theremote unit 98. In other implementations, the antenna 96 can include orbe connected to a duplexer, thereby allowing the transmission andreception signals to be passed over a single fiber between the antenna96 and the drop terminal 36.

Because the antenna 96 and remote units 98 connect to the drop terminals36, the DAS 90 can be retrofitted to any existing fiber to the premises(FTTX) network by mounting suitable antennas 96 and remote units 98adjacent existing drop terminals 36. For example, an antenna 96 andremote unit 98 can be mounted to a water tower and connected to unusedports of an underground drop terminal 36 a, 36 b via one or more dropcables 50.

Still referring to FIG. 1, each of the drop terminals 36 a-c includes ahousing 42 and a spool 44 connected to the housing 42. A plurality ofruggedized fiber optic adapters 46 are mounted to each of the housings42. It will be understood that the term “ruggedized” refers to acomponent or system that is capable of withstanding the elements of anoutdoor environment and that reduces the risk of or prevents the ingressof dirt, dust, water, etc. from entering the drop terminal 36. Theruggedized fiber optic adapters 46 include first ports that areaccessible from outside the housings 42 and second ports that areaccessible from inside the housings 42. The fibers of the F2distribution cables 30 a-c are terminated by optical connectors that areinserted into the second ports of the ruggedized fiber optic adapters46. In certain embodiments, the optical connectors can be terminateddirectly on the ends of the fibers of the F2 distribution cables 30 a-c.In alternative embodiments, the optical connectors can be terminatedindirectly to the ends of the optical fibers of the F2 distributioncables 30 through the use of connectorized pigtails that are spliced tothe ends of the fibers of the F2 distribution cables 30 a-c.

The drop cables 50 can be terminated at each end by a ruggedized opticalconnector. An example ruggedized optical connector is disclosed at U.S.Pat. No. 7,090,406 that is hereby incorporated by reference. Theruggedized optical connector terminated at one end of a given drop cablecan be inserted into the first port of one of the drop terminals 36 a-c,while the ruggedized optical connector located at the opposite end ofthe drop cable can be inserted into a corresponding ruggedized adapterprovided at the ONT located at the subscriber location 52. In thesubject embodiment, the ruggedized optical connector includes a sealingmember that engages a sealing surface of the ruggedized fiber opticadapter to provide an environmental seal or a weatherproof seal betweenthe ruggedized optical connector and the ruggedized adapter 46.

Portions of the F2 distribution cables 30 a-c are preferably wrappedaround the spools 44 of the drop terminals 36 a-c. For example, the F2distribution cables 30 a-c may include first lengths that extend fromthe drop terminals 36 a-c to the fiber distribution hub 28, and secondlengths that are wrapped around the spool 44 corresponding to the givendrop terminal 36 a-c. Thus, the total length of each of the F2distribution cables 30 a-c includes the length of cable extending fromthe drop terminal to the fiber distribution hub 28 plus an excess lengththat remains wrapped around the spool 44 after installation of the dropterminal 36 a-c. From the spool 44, the fibers of the multi-fiber cables30 are routed into the interior of the housing 42 through an accessopening. An environmental seal preferably is provided at the accessopening. In certain embodiments, the access opening is provided at abackside of the housing while the ruggedized fiber optic adapters areprovided at a front side of the housing.

Prior to installation of the local network, the installer can identifythe locations where it is desired to mount drop terminals. The installercan then roughly estimate the distances from the drop terminal mountinglocations to the fiber distribution hub 28. The installer can preferablyselect drop terminals from a supply of drop terminals having differentlengths of F2 distribution cable pre-wrapped around the spools of thedrop terminals. For example, drop terminals can be provided with F2distribution cable lengths of 100 feet, 250 feet, 500 feet, 1,000 feet,1,500 feet, 2,000 feet, 2,500 feet, 3,000 feet, etc. Thus, when a dropterminal mounting location is determined, the distance from the dropterminal location to the fiber distribution hub is estimated and a dropterminal having a pre-spooled length of F2 distribution cable sufficientto reach from the drop terminal mounting location to the fiberdistribution hub is selected. Typically, because the pre-spooled lengthsof F2 distribution cable are not specifically customized for each dropterminal mounting location, the spool will have a certain amount ofexcess cable that remains on the spool after the F2 distribution cablehas been routed from the drop terminal mounting location to the fiberdistribution hub.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, the installation of the network of FIG. 1will be described. In the subject embodiment, the installer can selectthree separate drop terminals 36 a-c each having a pre-spooled length ofF2 distribution cable that is sufficiently long to reach from thedesired drop terminal mounting location to the fiber distribution hub28. The installer can then first mount the drop terminal 36 c to theutility pole 40 as shown at FIG. 2. The multi-fiber connector 32 at theend of the F2 distribution cable 30 c pre-coiled about the spool 44 ofthe drop terminal 36 c is then connected to a pulling cable 55 that hasbeen pre-routed through the underground conduit 41. The pulling cable 55is then used to pull the F2 distribution cable 30 c through theunderground conduit 41 in a direction extending from the hand hole 38 ctoward the hand hole 38 b through the use of a cable puller 57 locatednear the fiber distribution hub 28. As the F2 distribution cable 30 c ispulled through the conduit 41, the spool 44 and the housing 40 of thedrip terminal 36 c rotate in unison about a common axis 65 c to allowthe F2 distribution cable 30 c to be paid off from the spool.

Once the multi-fiber connector 32 of the F2 distribution cable 30 creaches the hand hole 38 b, the drop terminal 36 b can be mounted at thehand hole 38 b and the multi-fiber connector 32 of the F2 distributioncable 30 b spooled about the spool 44 of the drop terminal 36 b is alsoconnected to the pulling cable 55. Thereafter, the cable puller 57resumes pulling and both F2 distribution cables 30 b and 30 c are pulledtogether through the conduit 41 toward the hand hole 38 a. As the cables30 b, 30 c are pulled, the housings 42 and spools 44 of the dropterminals 36 b,c rotate about respective axes 65 b, 65 c to allow thecables 30 b,c to be paid off from the spools 44. When the multi-fiberconnectors 32 of the F2 distribution cables 30 b, c reach the hand hole38 a, pulling of the cable 55 stops and the operator installs the dropterminal 36 a at the hand hole 38 a. The multi-fiber connector 32 of theF2 distribution cable 30 a wrapped around the spool 44 of the dropterminal 36 a is then connected to the cable 55 and pulling resumes topull all three cables 30 a-c through the underground conduit 41 from thehand hole 38 a to the fiber distribution hub 28. As the cables 30 a-care pulled, the housings 42 and spools 44 of the drop terminals 36 a-crotate about respective axes 65 a-c to allow the cables 30 a-c to bepaid off from the spools 44. When the multi-fiber connectors 32 reachthe fiber distribution hub 28, the multi-fiber connectors 32 aredisconnected from the cable 55 and plugged into the adapter bank 34 ofthe fiber distribution hub 28. In this way, the fiber distribution hub28 provides an interface between the optical fibers of the F1distribution cable and the F2 distribution cables.

FIG. 5 shows another fiber optic network 120 having features that areexamples of inventive aspects in accordance with the principles of thepresent disclosure. The network 120 shows a fiber distribution hub 28mounted on a utility pole 40 and drop terminals 36 a, 36 b mounted onutility poles 40 a, 40 b. A utility line 61 is routed across the utilitypoles. The drop terminals 36 a, 36 b have F2 distribution cables 30 a,30 b that are routed from the fiber distribution hub 28 along theutility line 61 to the utility poles 40 a, 40 b. Typically, the F2distribution cables 30 a, 30 b can be secured to the utility line 61 byconventional techniques such as lashing, tying, or other securingtechniques. Drop cables 55 can be routed from the drop terminals 30 a,30 b to the ONT's of subscriber locations in need of telecommunicationservices.

In some implementations, antenna nodes 96 and remote units 98 also canbe mounted to one or more utility poles 40 a, 40 b. For example, one ormore of the antenna nodes 96 and remote units 98 can form a DAS (e.g.,for providing cellular phone service). The remote units 98 connect toports on the drop terminals 36 a, 36 b. For example, a first fiber 97can connect a first drop terminal port with a first port on the remoteunit 98 and a second fiber 99 can connect a second drop terminal portwith a second port on the remote unit 98.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the installation of the network 120 willbe described. To install the network 120 of FIG. 5, the drop terminalmounting locations are identified and the operator selects dropterminals that are pre-spooled with a sufficient length of F2distribution cable to reach from the fiber distribution hub 28 to theidentified drop terminal mounting location. Multi-fiber connectors 32 ofthe F2 multi-fiber distribution cables 30 a, 30 b are then inserted intoan adapter bank 34 of the fiber distribution hub 28. The drop terminals36 a, 36 b are then mounted on an elevated carrying device 63 thatcarries the drop terminals 36 a, 36 b along the utility line 61 frompole to pole. As the elevated carrying device 63 moves the dropterminals 36 a, 36 b, the drop terminals housings 42 and theircorresponding spools 44 rotate in unison about rotation axes 65 a, 65 bto allow the F2 distribution cables 30 a, 30 b to be paid off from thespools 44. Periodically, the elevated carrying device 63 can be stoppedto allow the operator to lash the F2 distribution cables 30 a, 30 b tothe utility line 61. When the elevated carrying device 63 reaches pole40 a, the drop terminal 36 a is removed from the elevated carryingdevice 63 and secured to the pole 40 a. Thereafter, the elevatedcarrying device 63 continues to move along the utility line 61 while thehousing 42 and spool 44 of the drop terminal 36 b spin in unison aboutaxis 65 b to allow the F2 distribution cable 30 b to be paid off fromthe spool 44. Once again, the operator can periodically stop to lash theF2 distribution cable 30 b to the utility line 61. When the elevatedcarrying device 63 reaches the pole 40 b, the drop terminal 36 b isremoved from the elevated carrying device 63 and mounted to the pole 40b. Once the drop terminals 30 a, 30 b have been mounted to their dropterminal mounting locations, drop cables 55 can be routed from the dropterminals 30 a, 30 b to the ONT's of subscriber locations in need oftelecommunication services.

FIG. 8 shows another fiber optic network 220 in accordance with theprinciples of the present disclosure. The fiber optic network of FIG. 8has decentralized passive splitting that eliminates the need for a fiberdistribution hub where all of the splitting takes place. Instead,splitters are provided within drop terminals 36 a, 36 b. In such anembodiment, a distribution cable (e.g., a single fiber or multi-fiberdistribution cable) can be routed from a central office 22 or anotherintermediate location to drop terminal 36 a. At the drop terminal 36 a,the signal is split into a plurality of fibers that have connectorizedends inserted within inner ports of ruggedized adapters mounted at thedrop terminal 36 a. Another distribution cable can be plugged into theouter port of one of the adapters and routed to drop terminal 36 bhaving a splitter therein. At the drop terminal 36 b, drop cables can berouted from the ports of the drop terminal to subscriber locations 52.

To install the network 220, the drop terminals are preferably selectedso as to have a sufficient amount of pre-wrapped distribution cableprovided on the spools to reach from the drop terminal mounting locationto the other connection location. Once the drop terminals 36 a, 36 bhave been selected, the drop terminals 36 a, 36 b can be mounted attheir desired locations. Thereafter, the cables can be paid off from thedrop terminal spools and pulled to the desired interconnection location.As the cables are pulled, the spools 44 and the corresponding housings42 of the drop terminals 36 rotate in unison to allow the distributioncables to be paid off from the spools 44. In the case of the dropterminal 36 a, the drop terminal 36 a is mounted at a desired locationand then the distribution cable is pulled to the desired interconnectlocation where the fibers interconnect with a fiber from the centraloffice. Thereafter, the drop terminal 36 b is mounted at its desiredlocation and its corresponding distribution cable is pulled from thedrop terminal mounting location to the first drop terminal mountinglocation where the distribution cable is plugged into an adapter port ofthe drop terminal 36 a.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-11, an exemplary configuration of the fiberdistribution hub (FDH) 28 is shown. Certain aspects of the FDH shown inFIGS. 9-11 have been described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/354,286, published as U.S. Publication No. 2007/0189691, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The FDH 28 includes a cabinet 400 that houses internal components. Thecabinet 400 of the FDH 28 includes a top panel 402, a bottom panel 403,a right side panel 404, a left side panel 406, a back panel 408, and atleast one front door 410. In one embodiment, the at least one front door410 includes a right door 412 and a left door 414. In one embodiment,the front doors 412, 414 include a lock 416. The at least one front door410 is pivotally mounted to the cabinet 400 using hinges 418, 420 tofacilitate access to the components mounted within the cabinet 400.

In general, the cabinet 400 of the FDH 28 is configured to protect theinternal components against rain, wind, dust, rodents and othercontaminants. However, the cabinet 400 remains relatively lightweightfor easy installation, and breathable to prevent accumulation ofmoisture in the unit. In some embodiments, an aluminum construction witha heavy powder coat finish also provides for corrosion resistance. Inone example embodiment, the cabinet 400 is manufactured from heavy gaugealuminum and is NEMA-4X rated. In other embodiments, however, othermaterials can also be used.

In accordance with example embodiments, the FDH 28 is provided in polemount or pedestal mount configurations. For example, as shown in FIG. 9,loops 422 can be provided on the cabinet 400 for facilitating deploymentof the cabinet 400 at a desired location. The loops 422 can be used toposition the cabinet using a crane. In particular, the crane can lowerthe cabinet 400 into an underground region. In some embodiments, theloops 422 are removable or can be adjusted to not protrude from the toppanel 402.

A swing frame 424 is pivotably mounted on hinges 426 within the cabinet400. The swing frame 424 includes bulkhead 428 that divides the swingframe 424 into a front portion 430 and a back portion 432 (shown in FIG.11). The bulkhead 428 includes a main panel 434 having a terminationregion 436 and a storage region 438. Generally, at least one terminationmodule 440 (shown schematically in FIG. 12) is provided at thetermination region 436 and at least one storage module 442 (shownschematically in FIG. 12) is provided at the storage region 438. One ormore distribution cable interfaces 444 can be positioned within the backportion 432 of the swing frame 424. At least one optical separatormodule housing 446 accommodating one or more optical separator modules448 is positioned at the top of the swing frame 424.

The FDH 28 generally administers connections at a termination panelbetween incoming fiber and outgoing fiber in an Outside Plant (OSP)environment. As the term is used herein, “a connection” between fibersincludes both direct and indirect connections. Examples of incomingfibers include the F1 distribution cable fibers that enter the cabinetand intermediate fibers (e.g., connectorized pigtails extending fromsplitters and patching fibers/jumpers) that connect the F1 distributioncable fiber to the termination panel. Examples of outgoing fibersinclude the F2 distribution cable fibers that exit the cabinet and anyintermediate fibers that connect the F2 distribution cable fibers to thetermination panel. The FDH 28 provides an interconnect interface foroptical transmission signals at a location in the network whereoperational access and reconfiguration are desired. The FDH 28 isdesigned to accommodate a range of alternative sizes and fiber countsand support factory installation of pigtails, fanouts, and splitters.For example, as noted above, the FDH 28 can be used to split the F1distribution cables and terminate the split F1 distribution cables to F2distribution cables. In addition, the FDH 28 can be used to split the F1distribution cable signals of a DAS 90 onto F2 distribution cables 97,99.

Referring now to FIGS. 12A-12C, schematic diagrams of four example cablerouting schemes for the FDH 28 are shown. FIG. 12A shows a first examplecable routing scheme for the FDH 28 in which signals from the centraloffice 22 are routed through optical splitters 448 and no DAS signalsare present. In FIGS. 12B-12D, the F1 cable 26 and fiber connectedthereto can be routed in the same way. FIG. 12 B shows a second examplecable routing scheme in which DAS signals are routed through a WDM 448B.FIG. 12C shows a third example cable routing scheme for the FDH 28 inwhich DAS signals are routed through an optical power splitter 448A.FIG. 12D shows a fourth example cable routing scheme in which DASsignals are routed directly to the termination region 436 withoutpassing through an optical splitter 448.

As shown in FIG. 12A, in some implementations, the F1 distribution cable26 is initially routed into the FDH 28 through the cabinet 400 (e.g.,typically through the back or bottom of the cabinet 400 as shown in FIG.11). In certain embodiments, the fibers of the F1 distribution cable 26can include ribbon fibers. An example F1 distribution cable 26 mayinclude twelve to forty-eight individual fibers connected to the centraloffice 22. In some embodiments, after entering the cabinet 400, thefibers of the F1 distribution cable 26 are routed to the distributioncable interface 444 (e.g., fiber optic adapter modules, a splice tray,etc.). At the distribution cable interface 444, one or more of thefibers of the F1 distribution cable 26 are individually connected toseparate intermediate fibers 450. The intermediate fibers 450 are routedfrom the distribution cable interface 444 to the optical splitter modulehousing 446. At the optical splitter module housing 446, theintermediate fibers 450 are connected to separate optical splittermodules 448, wherein the signals carried on the intermediate fibers 450are each separated onto multiple pigtails 454, each having connectorizedends 456. In other embodiments, however, the fibers of the F1distribution cable 26 can be connectorized and can be routed directly tothe optical splitter modules 448, thereby bypassing or eliminating theneed for the distribution cable interface 444.

When the pigtails 454 are not in service, the connectorized ends 456 canbe temporarily stored on the storage module 442 that is mounted at thestorage region 438 of the swing frame 424. When the pigtails 454 areneeded for service, the pigtails 454 are routed from the splittermodules 448 to the termination module 440 that is provided at thetermination region 436 of the swing frame 424. At the termination module440, the pigtails 454 are connected to fibers of an F2 distributionpigtail 460.

In one embodiment, one or more of the fibers of the F1 distributioncable 26 are not connected to any of the splitter modules 448. Rather,these fibers of the F1 distribution cable 26 are connected topass-through fibers 474 having connectorized ends 476. The pass-throughfibers 474 are connected to the termination modules 440, without firstconnecting to the splitter modules 452. By refraining from splitting thefiber 474, a stronger signal can be sent to one of the subscribers. Theconnectorized ends 476 of the pass-through fibers 474 can be stored atthe storage region 438 when not in use. In some implementations, the F1distribution cable fibers can be routed directly to the terminationmodules 440 instead of connecting to separate pass-through fibers 474.

The F2 distribution pigtail 460 includes a plurality of single fiberconnectorized ends 462 on one end and a multi-fiber connectorized end464 on an opposite end of the F2 distribution pigtail 460. In oneembodiment, the fibers of the F2 distribution pigtail 460 are routed toa fanout 466 where the individual fibers of the F2 distribution pigtail460 are brought together. The multi-fiber connectorized end 464 of theF2 distribution pigtail 460 is adapted for engagement with a multi-fiberoptic adapter 468 disposed in the adapter bank 34, which in the subjectembodiment extends through the cabinet 400. The multi-fiber opticadapter 468 includes an interior port 470 and an exterior port 472. Theinterior port 470 of the fiber optic adapter 468 is accessible from theinterior of the cabinet 400 while the exterior port 472 is accessiblefrom the exterior of the cabinet 400. As the intermediate cable isdisposed in the interior of the cabinet 400, the multi-fiberconnectorized end 466 of the intermediate cable 464 is engaged with theinterior port 470 of the multi-fiber optic adapter 468. The multi-fiberconnector 32 of the F2 distribution cable 30 is adapted for engagementwith the exterior port 472 of the multi-fiber optic adapter 468.

As shown in FIGS. 12B and 12C, in some implementations, the DAS F1distribution cable 95 is initially routed into the FDH 28 through thecabinet 400 (e.g., typically through the back or bottom of the cabinet400 as shown in FIG. 11). In certain embodiments, the fibers of the DASF1 distribution cable 95 can include ribbon fibers. An example DAS F1distribution cable 95 may include twelve to forty-eight individualfibers connected to the base station 92. In some embodiments, the fibersof the DAS F1 distribution cable 95 can be connectorized and can berouted directly to the optical splitter modules 448, thereby bypassingor eliminating the need for the distribution cable interface 444.

In other embodiments, however, after entering the cabinet 400, thefibers of the DAS F1 distribution cable 95 are routed to thedistribution cable interface 444 (e.g., fiber optic adapter modules, asplice tray, etc.). In one implementation, the interface 444 is the sameinterface at which the F1 cable 26 is routed. At the distribution cableinterface 444, one or more of the fibers of the DAS F1 distributioncable 95 can be individually connected to separate intermediate fibers450. The intermediate fibers 450 are routed from the distribution cableinterface 444 to the optical splitter module housing 446. At the opticalsplitter module housing 446, the intermediate fibers 450 are connectedto one or more separate optical splitter modules 448, wherein thesignals carried on the intermediate fibers 450 are each separated ontomultiple pigtails 454, each having connectorized ends 456.

In certain example implementations, as shown in FIG. 12B, the signalsfrom the DAS F1 cable 95 are routed to a WDM 448B. For example, in oneimplementation, the WDM 448B can be a DWDM. In other exampleimplementation, the WDM 448B can be a CWDM. In some such exampleimplementations, signals from the central office 22 can be routed to oneor more optical power splitters 448A, which separates the signal intomultiple copies of the same signal. Accordingly, the optical power ofthe split signals is reduced compared to the incoming signal. In otherexample implementations, as shown in FIG. 12C, at least some of thesignals from the DAS F1 cable 95 are routed to one or more optical powersplitters 448A instead of to WDMs. In one implementation, at least someof the signals from the DAS F1 cable 95 can be routed to the sameoptical splitter 448A as the signals from the F1 cable 26.

When the pigtails 454 (e.g. pigtails 454A from the optical powersplitters 448A and/or pigtails 454B from the WDMs 448B) are not inservice, the connectorized ends 456 can be temporarily stored on thestorage module 442 that is mounted at the storage region 438 of theswing frame 424. When the pigtails 454 are needed for service, thepigtails 454 are routed from the splitter modules 448 to the terminationmodule 440 that is provided at the termination region 436 of the swingframe 424. At the termination module 440, the pigtails 454 are connectedto fibers of an F2 distribution pigtail 460.

In some implementations, the F2 distribution pigtails 460 are adaptedfor engagement with the multi-fiber optic adapter 468 disposed in theadapter bank 34 as described above. The multi-fiber connector 32 of theF2 distribution cable 30 is adapted for engagement with the exteriorport 472 of the multi-fiber optic adapter 468. In other implementations,the F2 distribution pigtails 460 are optically coupled (e.g., spliced,connected via an adapter, etc.) to a stub cable (not shown) that isrouted out of the cabinet 400. One example implementation of such a stubcable can be found in U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/310,214, filedMar. 3, 2010, and titled Fiber Distribution Hub with Connectorized StubCables, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein byreference.

In some implementations, as shown in FIG. 12D, one or more of the fibersof the DAS F1 distribution cable 95 are not connected to any of thesplitter modules 448. Rather, these fibers of the F1 distribution cable95 are routed directly to the termination region 436 for connection toF2 fibers 495. In other implementations, the fibers of the DAS F1distribution cable 95 are optically coupled to pass-through fibers 474having connectorized ends 476 (see FIG. 12A). The pass-through fibers474 are connected to the termination modules 440 without firstconnecting to the splitter modules 452. By refraining from splitting thefiber 95, 474, a stronger signal can be sent to one of the drop terminalports and, accordingly, to one or more of the antennas 96. Theconnectorized ends 476 of the pass-through fibers 474 (i.e., or DAS F1fibers) can be stored at the storage region 438 when not in use.

Referring now to FIG. 13, an exemplary configuration of the dropterminal 36 is shown. The drop terminal 36 includes the housing 42, thespool 44 disposed on an exterior surface of the housing 42 and amounting assembly 500 adapted for rotational engagement with the spool44.

Referring now to FIGS. 14-16, an exemplary configuration of the housing42 of the drop terminal 36 is shown. The drop terminal shown in FIGS.13-15 has been has been described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/728,043 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,512,304), the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The housing 42 of the drop terminal 36 includes a central longitudinalaxis 502 that extends from a first end 504 to a second end 506 of thehousing 42. The housing 42 includes a front piece 508 and a back piece510 that cooperate to define an enclosed interior of the housing 42. Thefront and back pieces 508, 510 are joined by fasteners 512 (e.g., boltsor other fastening elements) spaced about a periphery of the housing 42.The front and back pieces 508, 510 are elongated along the central axis502 so as to extend generally from the first end 504 to the second end506 of the housing 42.

The drop terminal 36 is environmentally sealed. In the subjectembodiment, the drop terminal 36 includes a gasket mounted between thefront and back pieces 508, 510 of the housing 42. The gasket extendsaround the perimeter or periphery of the housing 42 and preventsmoisture from entering the enclosed interior of the assembled housing42.

The housing 42 of the drop terminal 36 also includes the plurality ofruggedized fiber optic adapters 46 mounted to the front piece 508 of thehousing 42. As best shown in FIG. 17, each of the ruggedized fiber opticadapters 46 include the first port 516 accessible from outside thehousing 42 and the second port 518 accessible from within the housing42.

The housing 42 of the drop terminal 36 includes a length L and a widthW. The length L is parallel to the central longitudinal axis 502 of thehousing 42. In the subject embodiment, first, second and third rows 520₁-520 ₃ of the ruggedized fiber optic adapters 46 are mounted to thefront piece 508 of the housing 42. Each of the first, second and thirdrows 520 ₁-520 ₃ includes four ruggedized fiber optic adapters 46spaced-apart across the width W of the housing 42. It will beunderstood, however, that the scope of the present disclosure is notlimited to the housing 42 of the drop terminal 36 having first, secondand third rows 520 ₁-520 ₃ or to the housing 42 having four ruggedizedfiber optic adapters 46 per row.

In the subject embodiment, the first row 520 ₁ is located closest thefirst end 504 of the housing 42, the third row 520 ₃ is located closestthe second end 506 of the housing 42 and the second row 520 ₂ is locatedbetween the first and third rows 520 ₁, 520 ₃. The front face of thefront piece 508 has a stepped configuration with three steps 522 ₁-522 ₃positioned consecutively along the length L of the housing 42. Each step522 ₁-522 ₃ includes an adapter mounting wall 524 ₁-524 ₃ definingadapter mounting openings in which the ruggedized fiber optic adapters46 are mounted. A sealing member 523 (shown in FIG. 17) is compressedbetween a main housing 525 of the ruggedized fiber optic adapter 46 andthe adapter mounting wall 524 ₁-524 ₃ to provide an environmental sealabout the adapter mounting opening.

As shown at FIG. 15, the adapter mounting walls 524 ₁-524 ₃ aregenerally parallel to one another and are spaced apart along the lengthL of the housing 42. The adapter mounting walls 524 ₁-524 ₃ have frontfaces that are aligned at an oblique angle θ₁ relative to a plane P thatextends through the central longitudinal axis 502 and across the width Wof the housing 42. The angled configuration of the adapter mountingwalls 524 causes the ruggedized fiber optic adapters 46 to be angledrelative to the plane P. For example, center axes 526 of the ruggedizedfiber optic adapters 46 are shown aligned at an oblique angle θ₂relative to the plane.

Referring now to FIG. 18, the back piece 512 of the housing 42 is shown.The back piece 512 defines a cable passage 530 that extends through theback piece 512. The cable passage 530 is adapted to allow thedistribution cable 30 to enter/exit the interior of the housing 42. Inone embodiment, the cable passage 530 is adapted to receive a cable sealthrough which the distribution cable 30 passes. The cable seal isadapted to be in sealing engagement with the distribution cable 30 andthe cable passage 530 to prevent the ingress of dirt, dust, water, etc.from entering the drop terminal 36 through the cable passage 530.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the spool 44 includes a first end 600 a, anoppositely disposed second end 600 b, and a drum portion 602 aroundwhich the F2 distribution cable 30 is coiled or wrapped. A spool 44suitable for use with the drop terminal 36 has been described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/113,786, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In the subject embodiment, the first end 600 a is disposed adjacent tothe back piece 510 of the housing 42. In one embodiment, the first end600 a is sealingly engaged with the back piece 510.

In the depicted embodiment, the first and second spool ends 600 a, 600 bof the spool 44 are substantially similar. As the first and second ends600 a, 600 b in the subject embodiment are substantially similar, thefirst and second ends 600 a, 600 b shall be referred to as spool end 600in both singular and plural tense as required by context. It will beunderstood, however, that the scope of the present disclosure is notlimited to the first and second ends 600 a, 600 b being substantiallysimilar.

Each spool end 600 is adapted to be a tear-away end. As a tear-away end,the spool end 600 includes a line of weakness 604. In the subjectembodiment, the line of weakness 604 extends from an inner diameter 606of the spool end 600 to an outer diameter 608 of the spool end 600.

Referring now to FIG. 19, an alternate embodiment of a spool end 700 isshown. In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 19, the spool end 700 includesat least one radial area of weakness 702 and at least one circular areaof weakness 704. The radial area of weakness extends from an outsidediameter 706 radially inward toward an inner diameter 708 of the spoolend 700. The circular area of weakness 704 forms a ring having adiameter that is less than the outer diameter 706 but greater than theinner diameter 708. In the subject embodiment, the circular area ofweakness 704 is concentric with the outer diameter 706. In oneembodiment, the radial and circular areas of weakness 702, 704 areperforated areas. In another embodiment, the radial and circular areasof weakness 702, 704 are areas of reduced thickness.

Referring again to FIG. 13, each of the spool ends 600 defines an accessnotch 610 that extends outwardly in a radial direction from the innerdiameter 606 and a tab 612 that extends inwardly in a radial direction.The access notch 610 is adapted to provide access to cable wound aroundthe drum portion 602 of the spool 44. The access notch 610 is alsoadapted to provide a location through which the F2 distribution cable 30can pass to get access to the cable passage 530 in the housing 42 of thedrop terminal 36. The tab 612 is adapted for engagement with the drumportion 602 in order to prevent rotation of the spool ends 600 relativeto the drum portion 602.

The drum portion 602 is generally cylindrical in shape and includes afirst axial end 614 and an oppositely disposed second axial end 616. Inthe subject embodiment, the first axial end 614 is disposed adjacent toa bracket 618 that is adapted to receive the housing 42 while the secondaxial end 616 is disposed adjacent to the mounting assembly 500. Thedrum portion further includes an inner bore 620 and an outer surface622.

Each of the first and second axial ends 614, 616 defines a groove 624.In the subject embodiment, each groove 624 extends from the inner bore620 through the outer surface 622 and is adapted to receive the tab 612from one of the spool ends 600. As previously stated, the engagement ofthe tab 612 of spool end 600 in the groove 624 of the drum portion 602prevents rotation of the spool end 600 relative to the drum portion 602.

The second axial end 616 further defines a notch 626. In the subjectembodiment, the notch 626 extends from the inner bore 620 through theouter surface 622 and is disposed on the second axial end 616 oppositethe groove 624 on the second axial end 616. The notch 626 is adapted toengage a protrusion 628 on a first plate 630 of the mounting assembly500. The engagement of the notch 626 and the protrusion 628 of the firstplate 630 of the mounting assembly 500 prevents relative rotationbetween the drum portion 602 and the first plate 630 of the mountingassembly 500.

The mounting assembly 500 includes the first plate 630 and a secondplate 632. The first plate 630 is adapted for engagement with the spool44 while the second plate 632 is adapted for engagement with a mountinglocation (e.g., hand hole 38, telephone pole 40, etc.). A bearing 634 isdisposed between the first and second plates 630. In the subjectembodiment, the bearing 634 is a simple bearing having a ring member636, which is engaged with the second plate 632, and a puck 638, whichis engaged with the first plate 630. The puck 638 is adapted for slidingrotational engagement with the ring member 636.

The bearing 634 and the engagement between the first plate 630, thespool 44, and the housing 42 of the drop terminal 36 allow the dropterminal 36 to rotate relative to the second plate 632. This engagementof the first plate 630, the spool 44 and the housing 42 allows the firstend 31 of the F2 distribution cable 30 to be deployed from the spool 44while the second end 33 is optically engaged within the interior of thehousing 42.

FIGS. 20-22 show another fiber optic cable spooling system 900 inaccordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The spoolingsystem 900 is shown used in combination with drop terminal 36. Thespooling system 900 includes a slack storage spool 902 mounted to adisposable bulk storage spool 904. A central passage 906 extends axiallythrough both the bulk storage spool 904 and the slack storage spool 902.The central passage 906 is formed by a first opening 906 a that extendscoaxially through the slack storage spool 902 and a second opening (notshown) that extends through the bulk storage spool 904 in coaxialalignment with the first opening 906 a. The spooling system 900 furtherincludes a hinge plate 908 mounted to a front face of the slack storagespool 902. The hinge plate 908 is pivotally connected to the slackstorage spool 902 by a hinge or other type of pivot structure thatallows the hinge plate 908 to pivot relative to the slack storage spool902 about a pivot axis 910 that is generally parallel to the front faceof the slack storage spool 902. The drop terminal 36 mounts to a frontface of the hinge plate 908. The hinge plate 908 allows the dropterminal 36 to be pivoted between a first position (see FIG. 20) andsecond position (see FIGS. 21 and 22). When the drop terminal 36 and thehinge plate 908 are in the first position, a front side of the dropterminal 36 faces outwardly from the front side of the slack storagespool 902 and a back side of the drop terminal 36 faces toward the frontside of the slack storage spool 902. In this orientation, the hingeplate 908 and the drop terminal 36 block access to the central passage906 from the front side of the spooling system 900. When the dropterminal 36 and the hinge plate 908 are in the second position, thehinge plate 908 and the drop terminal 36 are pivoted away from the frontside of the slack storage spool 902 such that the central passage 906can be access from the front side of the spooling system 900.

Prior to installation of the drop terminal 36 in the field, adistribution cable 912 corresponding to the drop terminal 36 is spooledaround both the slack storage spool 902 and the bulk storage spool 904to facilitate shipping and handling of the drop terminals 36 along withthe corresponding distribution cable 912. A first portion of thedistribution cable 912 is stored at the slack storage spool 902 while asecond portion of the distribution cable 912 is stored about the bulkstorage spool 704.

In use of the spooling system 900, the spooling system 900 and itscorresponding drop terminal 36 can be delivered to a location in closeproximity to where it is desired to mount the drop terminal 36. Whenshipping takes place, the hinge plate 908 and drop terminal 36 areoriented in the closed position. To begin the installation process, thehinge plate 908 is pivoted from the closed position of FIG. 20 to theopen position of FIGS. 21 and 22. With the hinge plate 908 in the openposition, a front end of the central passage 906 is exposed such that amandrel can be inserted through the central passage 906. It will beappreciated that the mandrel may be supported on a cart, frame, or otherstructure so that the spooling system 900 is elevated above the ground.The distal end of the distribution cable 912 (i.e., the end of thedistribution cable that is farthest from the drop terminal 36) can thenbe accessed and pulled towards a connection/termination location such asa fiber distribution hub. For example, the distal end of thedistribution cable 912 could be pulled through an underground conduit orrouted along an aerial routing path. As the distribution cable 912 ispulled, the second portion of the distribution cable 912 is removed fromthe bulk storage spool 904. As the second portion of the distributioncable 912 is removed from the bulk storage spool 904, the bulk storagespool 904, the slack storage spool 902, the hinge plate 908 and the dropterminal 36 all rotate together in unison about the mandrel as the cablepays off of the bulk storage spool 904. Once the second portion of thedistribution cable 912 has been completely removed from the bulk storagespool 904, the first portion of the distribution cable 912 begins to payoff of the slack storage spool 902. The first portion of thedistribution cable 912 continues to be paid off of the slack storagespool 902 until the distal end of the distribution cable 912 reaches itsend destination (e.g., a fiber distribution hub, collector box or othertermination location). Once a sufficient length of the distributioncable 912 has been removed from the spooling system 900, the spools 902,904 can be removed from the mandrel, and the bulk storage spool 904 canbe disconnected from the slack storage spool 902 and discarded. Extralength of the distribution cable 912 can remain stored on the slackstorage spool 902. The hinge plate 908 can then be moved back to theclosed position of FIG. 20, and the drop terminal 36 can be mounted toits desired mounting location by securing the slack storage spool 902 tothe mounting location (e.g., a wall, a pole or other structure).

The spooling system 900 is preferably adapted to hold a relatively largeamount of cable. For example, in one embodiment, the slack storage spool902 holds about 60 meters of 5 mm diameter distribution cable, and thebulk spool 904 is sized to hold about 550 meters of 5 mm diameterdistribution cable. In other embodiments, the spooling system 900 holdsat least 200 meters of 5 millimeter diameter cable. In still otherembodiments, the spooling system 900 is sized to hold at least 400meters of 5 millimeter diameter cable. In additional embodiments, thespooling system 900 is configured to hold at least 600 meters of 5millimeter diameter cable.

Referring to FIGS. 20-22, the bulk storage spool 904 has a diameter thatis substantially larger than the diameter of the slack storage spool902. The bulk storage spool 904 includes a core 918 about which thedistribution cable is wrapped during storage. The bulk storage spool 904also includes front and back radial flanges 920, 922 positioned at frontand back axial ends of the core 918. The flanges 920, 922 arespaced-apart in a direction extending along the axis of the core 918 soas to define a cable storage space between the flanges 920, 922 whichsurrounds the core 918. The central passage 906 extends axially througha center of the core 918. During use of the bulk storage spool 904, thesecond portion of the distribution cable 912 is wrapped around the core918 and is contained in the region between the front and back flanges920, 922.

The slack storage spool includes a core 919 that is coaxially alignedwith the core 918 of the bulk storage spool 904. The core 919 has adiameter that is substantially smaller than the diameter of the core 918and the passage 906 extends axially through a center of the core 919.The slack storage spool 902 also includes front and back radial flanges924, 926 positioned at front and back axial ends of the core 919. Theflanges 924, 926 are spaced-apart in a direction extending along theaxis of the core 919 so as to define a cable storage space between theflanges 924, 926 which surrounds the core 919. The flanges 924, 926 havesmaller diameters than the flanges 920, 922. During use of the slackstorage spool 902, the first portion of the distribution cable 912 iswrapped around the core 919 and is contained in the region between thefront and back flanges 924, 926.

The slack storage spool 902 is preferably non-rotatably mounted to thebulk storage spool 904. By “non-rotatably” mounted, it is meant that theslack storage spool 902 is mounted in such a way that the slack storagespool 902 and the bulk storage spool 904 can rotate in unison about amandrel through the central passage 906 when cable is dispensed from thespooling system 900. In one embodiment, the slack storage spool 902 canbe secured to a front face of the front flange 920 of the bulk storagespool 904 by fasteners (e.g., bolts, screws, rivets, pins, snaps, etc.)inserted through fastener openings 930 defined through the rear flange926 of the slack storage spool 902. Preferably, the fasteners areremovable so that the slack storage spool 902 can be disconnected fromthe bulk storage spool 904 after the second portion distribution cable912 has been removed from the bulk storage spool 904. After the bulkstorage spool 904 has been disconnected from the slack storage spool902, the mounting openings 930 can be used to receive fasteners forsecuring the slack storage spool 902 to the structure (e.g., a wall orpole) to which it is desired to mount the drop terminal 36.

Referring to FIG. 22, the front face of the front flange 924 of theslack storage spool 902 includes a pair of flexible latches 932 thatengage the hinge plate 908 when the hinge plate 908 is in the closedposition to selectively hold the hinge plate 908 in the closed position.

The drop terminal 36 can be secured to the hinge plate 908 by fastenersinserted through openings defined through the housing 42 of the dropterminal 36 that coaxially align with corresponding opening 936 providedthrough the hinge plate 908. After the distribution cable 912 has beendispensed from the spooling system 900 and the hinge plate 908 has beenpivoted back to the closed position, the openings 936 can be alignedwith corresponding opening 938 provided in the front flange 924 of theslack storage spool 902, and the fasteners used to secure the dropterminal 36 to the hinge plate 908 can be removed and replaced withlonger fasteners that extend through the openings defined by the housing42 of the drop terminal 36, the openings 936 defined by the hinge plate908 and the openings 938 defined through the front flange 924 of theslack storage spool 902. In this manner, the fasteners provide retentionof the drop terminal 36 to the slack storage spool 902 that supplementsthe retention force provided by the clip 932.

The front flange 920 of the bulk storage spool 904 defines a cabletransition notch 940 having a bottom end 942 that is generally flushwith an outer circumferential surface of the core 918 and is alsogenerally flush with the outer peripheral surface of the rear flange 926of the slack storage spool 902. Similarly, the slack storage spool 902includes a cable transition slot 950 having a closed end 952 that isgenerally flush with the outer circumferential surface of the core 919of the slack storage spool 902. The slot 950 also includes an open end954 located at an outer peripheral edge of the front flange 924 of theslack storage spool 902. When spooling the distribution cable 912 on thespooling system 900, the distribution cable 912 is routed from thebottom end of the drop terminal 36 through the cable transition slot 950to the core 919. The first portion of the distribution cable 912 is thenwrapped around the core 919 until the space between the flanges 924, 926is filled and the cable reaches the outer peripheral edges of theflanges 924, 926. The cable is then passed through the cable transitionnotch 940 to the outer circumferential surface of the core 918 of thebulk storage spool 904. The second portion of the distribution cable 912is then wrapped around the core 918 to complete the storage of theremainder of the distribution cable 912.

In an alternative installation process, the spooling system 900 and thecorresponding drop terminal 36 can initially be delivered to atermination location (e.g., a fiber distribution hub, collector box orother structure) that is remote from the desired mounting location ofthe drop terminal 36. The distal end of the distribution cable is thenconnected to the termination location. Thereafter, the hinge plate 908is pivoted to the open position of FIGS. 21 and 22, and a mandrelmounted to a moveable structure such as a moveable cart is passedthrough the central opening 906. Thereafter, the cart is used to movethe spooling system 900 and its corresponding drop terminal 36 to thedesired mounting location. As the cart is moved, the slack storage spool902, the bulk spool 904 and the drop terminal 36 rotate in unison as thedistribution cable 912 is paid off the spooling system. Before reachingthe end destination, it is preferred for all of the second portion ofthe distribution cable 912 to be removed from the bulk storage spool904. Thus, when the final destination is reached, the bulk spool 904 canbe removed from the slack storage spool 902 and discarded. Thereafter,the slack storage spool 902 can be mounted to a desired mountinglocation to secure the drop terminal at the desired location.

Referring now to FIGS. 23-25, an alternate embodiment of a spoolingsystem 1000 is shown. The spooling system 1000 includes a drop terminalassembly 1002 having a drop terminal 36′ that is selectively releasablyengaged with a slack storage spool 1004 that is selectively releasablyengaged with the bulk storage spool 904.

The drop terminal 36′ includes a housing 42′. The housing 42′ includes acover 1006 and a base 1008. In the subject embodiment, the cover 1006and the base 1008 cooperatively define an interior region 1010. Aplurality of ruggedized fiber optic adapters 46′ is mounted to thehousing 42′. In the subject embodiment, the plurality of ruggedizedfiber optic adapters 46′ is mounted to the cover 1006.

The ruggedized fiber optic adapters 46′ include first ports that areaccessible from outside the housing 42′ and second ports that areaccessible from inside the housing 42′. The first ports of theruggedized fiber optic adapters 46′ are adapted to receive connectorizedends of distribution cables. The second ports of the ruggedized fiberoptic adapters 46′ are adapted to receive fibers of the multi-fiberdistribution cable 30.

The housing 42′ defines an access opening 1012. In one embodiment, theaccess opening 1012 is cooperatively defined by the cover 1006 and thebase 1008. In the subject embodiment, the access opening 1012 isdisposed in a sidewall 1014 of the housing 42′. The multi-fiber cable 30is routed into the interior of the housing 42′ through the accessopening 1012.

In the subject embodiment, the housing 42′ includes a firstenvironmental seal 1016 and a second environmental seal 1018. The firstand second environmental seals 1016, 1018 are disposed in the accessopening 1012. In the subject embodiment, the first environmental seal1016 is a grommet. The first environmental seal 1016 is adapted tosealingly engage the multi-fiber cable 30. The second environmental seal1018 includes a passage 1020 through which the multi-fiber cable 30passes. The second environmental seal 1018 is adapted to seal around themulti-fiber cable 30.

The housing 42′ further includes an anchor block 1022. The anchor block122 is disposed in the interior region 1010 of the housing 42′. In thesubject embodiment, the anchor block 1022 is disposed immediatelyadjacent to the access opening 1012 of the drop terminal 36′.

The anchor block 1022 includes a body 1024 having a first end 1026 and asecond end 1028. The anchor block 1022 defines a passage 1030 thatextends through the first and second ends 1026, 1028. The passage 1030is adapted to receive a portion of the multi-fiber cable 30.

The anchor block 1022 is engaged with the housing 42′. In the subjectembodiment, the anchor block 1022 is in interlocking engagement with thehousing 42′. The anchor block 1022 includes a plurality of tabs 1032that extend outwardly from the anchor block 1022. In the subjectembodiment, the plurality of tabs 1032 extends outwardly from the body1024 of the anchor block 1022 in a direction that is generallyperpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the anchor block 1022.The plurality of tabs 1032 is adapted to engage a first receptacle 1036in the housing 42′ of the drop terminal 36′.

The anchor block 1022 includes a crimp 1038 and a retainer 1040 disposedin the passage 1030. In the subject embodiment, the crimp 1038 is acylindrical tube that is made of a deformable material. The crimp 1038defines a thru-bore that is adapted to receive the multi-fiber cable 30.With the multi-fiber cable 30 disposed in the thru-bore of the crimp1038, the crimp 1038 can be deformed around the multi-fiber cable 30 bycompressing the crimp 1038.

The retainer 1040 includes a first end portion 1042, a second endportion 1044 and a flange 1046 disposed between the first and second endportions 1042, 1044. The retainer 1040 defines a bore that extendsthough the first and second end portions 1042, 1044. The bore is adaptedto receive the multi-fiber cable 30.

The retainer 1040 is adapted to interlock with the anchor block 1022. Inthe subject embodiment, the flange 1046 of the retainer 1040 is adaptedto be received in a second receptacle 1048 defined by the first end 1026of the anchor block 1022. The engagement of the flange 1046 and thesecond receptacle 1048 axially retains the retainer 1040 in the anchorblock 1022.

Referring now to FIGS. 26-29, the drop terminal 36′ and the slackstorage spool 1004 are shown in engagement. The slack storage spool 1004includes a first flange 1050, a drum portion 1052 and a second flange1054.

The second flange 1054 is adapted for engagement with the front radialflange 920 of the bulk storage spool 904. In the subject embodiment, aplurality of fasteners 1055 (e.g., bolts, screws, rivets, etc.) is usedto engage the second flange 1054 to the front radial flange 920 of thebulk storage spool 904.

The second flange 1054 includes a first surface 1056 and an oppositelydisposed second surface 1058. The first surface 1056 faces in adirection toward the drum portion 1052 while the second surface 1058faces in a direction toward the bulk cable spool 904. The second surface1058 includes a mounting area 1060. The mounting area 1060 extendsoutwardly from the second surface 1058. The mounting area 1060 adaptedfor mounting the slack storage spool 1004 and the drop terminal 36′ to amounting location (e.g., wall, pole, post, hand hole, etc.). In thesubject embodiment, the mounting area 1060 defines a channel 1062. Inthe subject embodiment, the channel 1062 is arcuate in shape. Thechannel 1062 is adapted to receive a portion of a mounting structure(e.g., a post, pole, etc.).

The drum portion 1052 is disposed between the first flange 1050 and thesecond flange 1054. In the subject embodiment, the drum portion 1052 isreleasably engaged to the first flange 1050. The releasable engagementis potentially advantageous as it allows the drum portion 1052 and thesecond flange 1054 to be removed from the drop terminal 36′ in the eventall of the cable 30 is unwound from the bulk storage spool 904 and theslack storage spool 1004. In one embodiment, the drum portion 1052 is insnap-fit engagement with the first flange 1050. In another embodiment,the drum portion 1052 is engaged with the first flange 1050 by fasteners1061 (e.g., bolts, screws, etc.).

The drum portion 1052 includes an outer surface 1063 (shown in FIG. 26)and defines an inner cavity. The drum portion 1052 is configured toreceive the multi-fiber cable 30 such that the multi-fiber cable 30wraps around the outer surface 1063 of the drum portion 1052. In thesubject embodiment, the drum portion 1052 is cylindrical in shape havinga cross-section that is generally oblong. In another embodiment, thedrum portion 1052 has a cross-section that is generally oval in shape.

The first flange 1050 includes a flange plate 1065 and a hinge plate1066. The first flange 1050 further includes a hinge assembly 1068.

Referring now to FIG. 27, the hinge assembly 1068 includes a hinge pin1070 and a hinge receptacle 1072. The hinge receptacle 1072 is adaptedto receive the hinge pin 1070. In the subject embodiment, the hinge pin1070 is engaged to the hinge plate 1066 while the hinge receptacle 1072is fixed to the flange plate 1065. In the subject embodiment, the hingereceptacle 1072 includes a base end 1074 that is fixed to the flangeplate 1065 and a free end 1076 that extends outwardly from the flangeplate 1065. In one embodiment, the free end 1076 of the hinge receptacle1072 is generally hook-shaped.

The hinge assembly 1068 is adapted to allow the hinge plate 1066 topivot relative to the flange plate 1065 between a first position (shownin FIG. 27) and a second position (shown in FIG. 28) relative to theflange plate 1065. In one embodiment, the hinge plate 1066 pivots in arange of about 0 degrees to about 180 degrees. In another embodiment,the hinge plate 1066 pivots in a range of about 0 degrees to about 90degrees. In another embodiment, the hinge plate 1066 pivots an amountgreater than or equal to 45 degrees.

Referring now to FIGS. 28, 30 and 31, the flange plate 1065 includes abase wall 1080 having a first surface 1082 and an oppositely disposedsecond surface 1084. The first surface 1082 faces toward the dropterminal 36′ when the hinge plate 1066 is in the first position relativeto the flange plate 1065. The second surface 1084 faces toward the drumportion 1052 of the slack storage spool 1004.

The flange plate 1065 further includes a cable management area 1088. Inthe subject embodiment, the cable management area 1088 is a recessedarea. The cable management area 1088 includes a base 1090 that isaxially offset from the base wall 1080 of the flange plate 1065 and asidewall 1092 that extends between the base 1090 of the cable managementarea 1088 and the base wall 1080 of the flange plate 1065. The cablemanagement area 1088 is adapted to be received in the inner cavity 1064of the drum portion 1052.

The cable management area 1088 includes a first cable management spool1094 a and a second cable management spool 1094 b. The first and secondcable management spools 1094 a, 1094 b are offset from a central axisthat extends axially through the center of the slack storage spool 1004.

In the subject embodiment, each of the first and second cable managementspools 1094 a, 1094 b includes at least one cable retention projection1096 that extends outwardly from an end 1097 of the first and secondcable management spool 1094 a, 1094 b. In the subject embodiment, thecable retention projection 1096 extends outwardly from the cablemanagement spool 1094 in a radial direction. The cable retentionprojection 1096 is aligned with a retention projection 1098 that extendsinwardly from the sidewall 1092. A gap 1099 is disposed between an endof the cable retention projection 1096 and an end of the retentionprojection 1098 of the sidewall 1092 so that the multi-fiber cable 30can be inserted in to the space between the cable management spool 1094and the sidewall 1092.

The cable management area 1088 provides an additional location at whicha portion of the multi-fiber cable 30 can be stored. Storage at thislocation is potentially advantageous during manufacturing as it allowsfor a length of cable to be stored prior to installation in the dropterminal 36′. In addition, the cable management area 1088 may provide astrain relief function. For example, as the spooling system 1000 isrotating during cable payout, the cable management area 1088 will reducethe risk of a tensile force being applied to the multi-fiber cable 30 atthe access opening 1012 of the drop terminal 36′ if all of the cable 30is unwound from the bulk cable spool 904 and the slack storage spool1004.

The sidewall 1092 of the cable management area 1088 defines a cableopening 1100 through which the multi-fiber cable 30 is routed to thecable management area 1088 from the drum portion 1052. In the subjectembodiment, the cable opening 1100 is adapted to receive a transitionportion 1102 disposed on an axial end, which is nearest the first flange1050, of the drum portion 1052. The transition portion 1102 extendsthrough the cable opening 1100 and into the cable management area 1088.

The base wall 1080 of the flange plate 1065 defines a cable channel1104. The cable channel 1104 extends from the cable management area 1088to an outer edge 1106 of the flange plate 1065. The cable channel 1104is adapted to receive the multi-fiber cable 30 as the multi-fiber cable30 is routed from the cable management area 1088 to the access opening1012 of the drop terminal 36′.

The base wall 1080 includes a latch 1108. In the subject embodiment, thelatch 1108 is a resilient latch that is adapted to engage a catch on thehinge plate 1066. In the subject embodiment, the latch 1108 includes afirst resilient latch 1108 a and a second resilient latch 1108 b. Eachof the first and second resilient latches 1108 a, 1108 b includes aprotrusion 1110. In the subject embodiment, the protrusion 1110 of thefirst resilient latch 1108 a faces the protrusion of the secondresilient latch 1108 b. Each protrusion 1110 engages the catch on thehinge plate 1066. The latch 1108 can be disengaged by moving theprotrusion 1110 of the first resilient latch 1108 a in a direction awayfrom the protrusion 1110 of the second resilient latch 1108 b.

Referring now to FIG. 31, the hinge plate 1066 includes a plurality ofmounts 1112 at which the drop terminal 36′ is mounted to the hinge plate1066. In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 34, the hinge plate 1066further includes a plurality of cable tie openings 1114. The cable tieopenings 1114 extend through the hinge plate 1066 and are disposedadjacent to the catch. The cable tie openings 1114 are adapted toreceive a cable tie that can be tied around a mandrel 1116. In thesubject embodiment, the mandrel 1116 is a cylindrical bar that extendsthrough a central opening that extends through the flange plate 1065,the drum portion 1052, the second flange 1054 and the bulk storage spool904. In one embodiment, the mandrel 1116 can be held at opposite endsallowing the spooling system 1000 to rotate about the mandrel 1116 asmulti-fiber cable 30 is paid out. The cable tie prevents the dropterminal 36′ and the hinge plate 1066 from striking the mandrel 1116 asthe spooling system 1000 rotates.

The second flange 1054 further includes a tether 1120. The tether 1120includes a first end portion 1122 and an oppositely disposed second endportion 1124. The first end portion 1122 is engaged with the flangeplate 1065 while the second end portion 1124 is engaged with the hingeplate 1066. The tether 1120 is adapted to prevent the hinge plate 1066from opening beyond the second position.

In one embodiment, the hinge plate 1066 includes a mounting area similarto the mounting area 1060 on the second flange 1054. If the cable 30 iscompletely paid out from the bulk storage spool 904 and the slackstorage spool 1004, the bulk storage spool 904, the second flange 1054,the drum portion 1052 and the flange plate 1065 can be removed from thespooling system 1000 such that the hinge plate 1066 and the dropterminal 36′ can be directly mounted to a mounting structure.

FIG. 32 is a block diagram of one exemplary embodiment of a distributedantenna system (DAS) 3000. The DAS 3000 is used to distributebi-directional wireless communications between one or more base stations3002 and one or more wireless devices (not shown in FIG. 32) (such asmobile wireless devices such as mobile telephones, mobile computers,and/or combinations thereof such as personal digital assistants (PDAs)and smartphones). In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 32, the DAS3000 is used to distribute a plurality of bi-directional radio frequencybands. Each radio frequency band is typically used to communicatemultiple logical bi-directional RF channels.

The techniques described here are especially useful in connection withthe distribution of wireless communications that use licensed radiofrequency spectrum, such as cellular radio frequency communications.Examples of such cellular RF communications include cellularcommunications that support one or more of the second generation, thirdgeneration, and fourth generation Global System for Mobile communication(GSM) family of telephony and data specifications and standards, one ormore of the second generation, third generation, and fourth generationCode Division Multiple Access (CDMA) family of telephony and dataspecifications and standards, and/or the WIMAX family of specificationand standards. In other embodiments, the DAS 3000 is used to distributedwireless communications that make use of unlicensed radio frequencyspectrum such as wireless local area networking communications thatsupport one or more of the IEEE 802.11 family of standards.

In the particular exemplary embodiment described here in connection withFIG. 32, the DAS 3000 is configured to distribute wirelesscommunications that use frequency division duplexing to implement thelogical bi-directional RF channels that are distributed by the DAS 3000.In other embodiments, the DAS 3000 is configured to communicate at leastsome wireless communications that use other duplexing techniques (suchas time division duplexing, which is used, for example, in some WIMAXimplementations).

In the particular example embodiment described here in connection withFIG. 32, each of the bi-directional radio frequency bands distributed bythe DAS 3000 includes a separate radio frequency band for each of twodirections of communications. One direction of communication goes fromthe base station 3002 to a wireless device and is referred to here asthe “downstream” or “downlink” direction. The other direction ofcommunication goes from the wireless device to the base station 3002 andis referred to here as the “upstream” or “uplink” direction. Each of thedistributed bi-directional radio frequency bands includes a “downstream”band in which downstream RF channels are communicated for thatbidirectional radio frequency band and an “upstream” band in whichupstream RF channels are communicated for that bidirectional radiofrequency band.

The DAS 3000 comprises a host unit 3006 that is deployed in a firstlocation 3008 (for example, a central office of a telecommunicationservice provider). In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 32, theDAS 3000 also comprises multiple remote units 3010 that are located atother locations 3012 that are remote from the first location 3008 (forexample, near the premises of homes and/or businesses that otherwisereceive wireline telecommunication services from the telecommunicationservice providers).

The host unit 3006 is communicatively coupled to the one or more basestations 3002 either directly via one or more telecommunications cableconnections (for example, when the base stations 3002 are co-locatedwith the host unit 3006 at the first location 3008) or indirectly viaone or more donor antennas and one or more bidirectional amplifiers (forexample, when the base stations 3002 are not co-located with the hostunit 3006 at the first location 3008).

In the particular exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 32, each remoteunit 3010 is communicatively coupled to a respective antenna 3016 (forexample, over a respective telecommunication cable). In otherembodiments, the remote unit 3010 is communicatively coupled to multipleantennas and/or is integrated into a common package with one or moreantennas.

The host unit 3006 is communicatively coupled to the remote units 3010using an optical access network 3014. Non-limiting example opticalnetworks suitable for use with the host unit 3006 and remote units 3010include the passive fiber optic distribution network 20 of FIG. 1, thefiber optic distribution network 120 of FIG. 5, and the fiber opticdistribution network 220 of FIG. 8. In the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 32, the optical access network 3014 is an existing fiber opticalaccess network that is otherwise used to deliver “wireline”telecommunication services (for example, wireline telephony, video, ordata services). The optical access network 3014 is also referred to hereas an “FTTX” network 3014. Examples of FTTX networks 3014 include,without limitation, active and passive fiber-to-the-node (FTTN),networks, active and passive fiber-to-the-cabinet or fiber-to-the-curb(FTTC) networks, active and passive fiber-to-the-building orfiber-to-the-basement (FTTB) networks, fiber-to-the-home (FTTH)networks, and active and passive fiber-to-the premises (FTTP) networksand combinations thereof.

In the particular exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 32, the host unit3006 and the remote units 3010 are configured to connect to the opticalaccess network 3014 using a pair of optical fibers—one of which is usedto communicate data from the host unit 3006 to the remote unit 3010 (andis also referred to here as a “downstream” fiber) and the other of whichis used to communicate data from the remote unit 3010 to the host unit3006 (and is also referred to here as the “upstream” fiber). In otherembodiments, the host unit 106 and the remote units 3010 are configuredto connect to the optical access network 3014 using a single opticalfiber (for example, where each such unit includes suitable multiplexingfunctionality).

RF signals (also referred to here as “downlink RF signals”) transmittedfrom the base station 3002 are received at the host unit 3006. The hostunit 3006 uses the downlink RF signals to generate a downlink transportsignal that is distributed to the remote units 3010 via the FTTX network3014. Each such remote unit 3010 receives the downlink transport signaland reconstructs the downlink RF signals based on the downlink transportsignal and causes the reconstructed downlink RF signals to be radiatedfrom the antenna 3016 coupled to or included in that remote unit 3010.

A similar process is performed in the uplink direction. RF signals (alsoreferred to here as “uplink RF signals”) transmitted from mobile unitsor other wireless devices are received at each remote unit 3010 (via therespective antenna 3016). Each remote unit 3010 uses the uplink RFsignals to generate an uplink transport signal that is transmitted fromthe remote unit 3010 to the host unit 3006 via the FTTX network 3014.The host unit 3006 receives and combines the uplink transport signalstransmitted from the remote units 3010. The host unit 3006 reconstructsthe uplink RF signals received at the remote units 3010 and communicatesthe reconstructed uplink RF signals to the base station 3002. In thisway, the coverage of the base station 3002 can be expanded using the DAS3000 and an existing FTTX network 3014.

In some implementations of the embodiment shown in FIG. 32, the DAS 3000is implemented as a digital DAS in which the downlink and uplinktransport signals are generated by digitizing the downlink and uplink RFsignals. For example, in one such implementation, for each of thebi-directional radio frequency bands distributed by the DAS 3000, thehost unit 3006 receives downstream radio frequency signals for thatbi-directional radio frequency band from the base station 3002 andband-pass filters the relevant downstream radio frequency band. The hostunit 3006 down-converts the downstream radio frequency band for eachbi-directional radio frequency band to an intermediate frequency versionof the downstream radio frequency band and digitizes the resultingintermediate frequency version. In other words, the host unit 3010, foreach of the bi-directional radio frequency bands distributed by the DAS3000, generates digital samples of that respective downstream frequencyband.

The host unit 3010 frames together digital samples for the downstreamfrequency bands (along with overhead data such as, for example,synchronization data and gain control data) and generates one or moredownstream optical signals that are communicated over the FTTX network3014 to the remote units 3010 (using one or more optical transmitters orother electrical-to-optical devices). Each remote unit 3010 receives theone or more downstream optical signals transmitted by the host unit 3006(using one or more optical receivers or other optical-to-electricaldevices). The downstream frames transmitted by the host unit 106 arerecovered by each remote unit 3010. The remote unit 3010 removes thedigital samples for the downstream frequency bands and uses adigital-to-analog process to recreate each of the analog downstreamintermediate frequency versions of the downstream frequency bands thatwere digitized in the host unit 3006 (using the associated overhead datato, for example, synchronize the digital samples and adjust the gain ofthe IF signals). Each remote unit 3010 then up-converts each recreateddownstream IF signal back to its original RF frequency band. Thereconstructed downstream RF signals for each of the downstream RFfrequency bands are combined and output to the relevant antenna 3016.The downstream RF signals are radiated from the antenna 3016 forreception by the relevant wireless devices.

A similar process is performed in the upstream direction in such andigital implementation. For each of the bi-directional radio frequencybands distributed by the DAS 3000, each remote unit 3010 receivesupstream radio frequency signals for that bidirectional radio frequencyband from any wireless devices that are transmitting in that upstreamfrequency band. The remote unit 3010 band-pass filters the receivedupstream RF signals. The remote unit 3010 down-converts the upstreamradio frequency band for each bi-directional radio frequency band to anintermediate frequency version of the upstream radio frequency band anddigitizes the resulting intermediate frequency version. In other words,each remote unit 3010, for each of the bi-directional radio frequencybands distributed by the DAS 3000, generates digital samples of thatrespective upstream frequency band.

Each remote unit 3010 frames together digital samples for the upstreamfrequency bands (along with overhead data such as, for example,synchronization data and gain control data) and generates one or moreupstream optical signals that are communicated over the FTTX network3014 to the host unit 3006 (using one or more optical transmitters orother electrical-to-optical devices).

The host unit 3006 receives the one or more upstream optical signalstransmitted by each of the remote units 3010 (using one or more opticalreceivers or other optical-to-electrical devices). The upstream framestransmitted by each remote unit 3010 are recovered by the host unit3006. The host unit 3006, for each upstream frequency band, combines thedigital samples received from each of the remote units 3010 for thatupstream frequency band. In one implementation of such an embodiment,the digital samples are combined by digitally summing, for each sampleperiod, the digital samples received from each remote unit 3010 for eachupstream frequency band. That is, in such an implementation, for eachsample period, the respective digital samples for each upstreamfrequency band are added together (with suitable overflow control tokeep the sum within the number of bits supported by thedigital-to-analog process in the host unit 3006).

The host unit 3006 uses a digital-to-analog process to create analogupstream intermediate frequency signals for each of the upstreamfrequency bands (using the associated overhead data in the frames to,for example, synchronize the digital samples and adjust the gain of theresulting IF signals). The host unit 3006 then individually up-convertsthe analog upstream intermediate frequency signals for each of theupstream frequency bands back to the respective original radio frequencyat which the corresponding signals were received at one or more of theremote units 3010. The resulting radio frequency versions of theupstream frequency bands are communicated to the one or more basestations 3002.

In such a digital DAS implementation, standard optical technology (suchas SONET technology) can be used to frame and deframe the digitalsamples and overhead data and to send and receive the optical signalsover the FTTX network 3014. In other implementations, proprietarytechnology can be used to frame and deframe the digital samples andoverhead data and/or to send and receive the optical signals over theFTTX network 3014.

Examples of such digital DAS 3000 systems are described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/627,251, entitled “MODULAR WIRELESSCOMMUNICATIONS PLATFORM” filed on Jan. 25, 2007, U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/627,255, entitled “A DISTRIBUTED REMOTE BASE STATION SYSTEM”filed Jan. 25, 2007, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/686,488,entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVED DIGITAL RF TRANSPORT INDISTRIBUTED ANTENNA SYSTEMS” filed Jan. 13, 2010, all of which arehereby incorporated herein by reference.

In some implementations of the embodiment shown in FIG. 32, the DAS 3000is implemented as an analog DAS in which the downlink and uplinktransport signals are generated by amplitude modulating an opticalcarrier signal with the relevant RF signals (or frequency-translatedversions of the relevant RF signals). An example of such an analog DASis described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,801,767, entitled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FORDISTRIBUTING MULTIBAND WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SIGNALS”, filed on Jan.26, 2001, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

In some other embodiments, the DAS 3000 is implemented using adistributed base station architecture in which the host unit 3006 andthe remote units 3010 includes base station functionality. For example,in such embodiment, the host unit 3006 comprises base station basebandsignal processing functionality and base station control functionallyand the remote units 3010 comprise remote radio heads. The remote radioheads include RF transceivers and power amplifiers. Digital basebanddata is transported between the baseband processing located in the hostunit 3006 and the remotely located RF transceivers located at the remoteunits 3010 using the FTTX network 3014. In some such embodiments, thehost units 3006 and remote radio heads 3010 are configured to supportspecifications published by at least one of the Common Public RadioInterface (CPRI) consortium and the Open Base Station ArchitectureInitiative (OBSAI) consortium.

In some embodiments, the DAS 3000 is configured for use in a “neutralhost” or “base station hotel” configuration in which multiple wirelessservice providers share a single DAS 3000. Examples of such neutral-hostDAS systems are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,785,558, entitled “SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SIGNALS OVERMETROPOLITAN TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORKS” filed Dec. 6, 2002, and U.S.Pat. No. 6,963,552, entitled “MULTI-PROTOCOL DISTRIBUTED WIRELESS SYSTEMARCHITECTURE” filed Mar. 27, 2001, all of which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

Various modifications and alterations of this disclosure will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scopeand spirit of this disclosure, and it should be understood that thescope of this disclosure is not to be unduly limited to the illustrativeembodiments set forth herein.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A fiber optic network comprising: a fiberdistribution hub enclosing at least a first splitter and an opticaltermination field; a plurality of drop terminals spaced from the fiberdistribution hub, the drop terminals being optically connected to theoptical termination field of the fiber distribution hub by a pluralityof distribution cables, each of the drop terminals including a pluralityof optical adapters defining a plurality of optical fiber outputsaccessible from an exterior of the drop terminals; a distributed antennasystem including a base station and a plurality of antenna nodes spacedfrom the drop terminals, the base station being optically connected tothe fiber distribution hub and the antenna nodes being opticallyconnected to the fiber outputs of the drop terminals; a first feedercable optically coupled to a central office and received by the fiberdistribution hub, wherein first signals are provided over the firstfeeder cable from the central office to the fiber distribution hub, overdistribution cables from the fiber distribution hub to the dropterminals, and over drop cables from the drop terminals to subscriberlocations; and a second feeder cable optically connecting the basestation to the fiber distribution hub, wherein second signals areprovided over the second feeder cable from the base station to the fiberdistribution hub, over distribution cables from the fiber distributionhub to the drop terminals, and over drop cables from the drop terminalsto the antenna nodes; and wherein the first signals are passively powersplit at the fiber distribution hub and wherein the second signals arewavelength split at the base station, and are passed through the fiberdistribution hub to the drop terminals without optically power splittingthe second signals at the fiber distribution hub.
 2. The fiber opticnetwork of claim 1, wherein the first signals from the central officeare routed through a passive optical power splitter before being routedto subscriber locations optically connected to the drop terminals, andwherein the second signals from the base station are routed through awavelength splitter before being routed to the antenna nodes.
 3. Thefiber optic network of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of dropcables extending from first ends to second ends, the first ends of thedrop cables being optically coupled to the optical fiber outputs of thedrop terminals.
 4. The fiber optic network of claim 3, wherein thesecond end of at least one of the drop cables of at least a first of thedrop terminals is routed to one of the antenna nodes to opticallyconnect the antenna node to the drop terminal.
 5. The fiber opticnetwork of claim 4, wherein the second ends of others of the drop cablesof the first drop terminal are routed to subscriber locations.
 6. Thefiber optic network of claim 1, wherein drop terminals include storagespools to store excess cable length of the distribution cables.
 7. Thefiber optic network of claim 1, wherein each antenna node includes anantenna and a remote unit, wherein the remote units are opticallyconnected to the fiber outputs of the drop terminals.
 8. The fiber opticnetwork of claim 1, further comprising: a first drop cable extendingfrom a first of the optical fiber outputs of a first of the dropterminals to one of the subscriber locations; and a second drop cableextending from a second of the optical fiber outputs of the first dropterminal to one of the antenna nodes.
 9. The fiber optic network ofclaim 7, further comprising: a first drop cable extending from a firstof the optical fiber outputs of a first of the drop terminals to atransmit connection location of the remote unit; and a second drop cableextending from a second of the optical fiber outputs of the first dropterminal to a receive connection location of the remote unit.
 10. Thefiber optic network of claim 7, wherein only a single drop cable extendsbetween one of the remote units and a respective optical fiber output ofa respective drop terminal to connect the remote unit to the fiber opticnetwork.
 11. The fiber optic network of claim 1, wherein the basestation is located within the central office.
 12. The fiber opticnetwork of claim 1, wherein the base station is external of the centraloffice.
 13. The fiber optic network of claim 1, wherein the opticaladapters of the drop terminals are ruggedized adapters.
 14. The fiberoptic network of claim 1, wherein the optical termination field receivesboth the first and second optical signals.
 15. The fiber optic networkof claim 7, wherein each remote unit converts the respective secondoptical signals into a format to be sent over the respective antenna.